The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a headache disorder, and arthritis of the neck were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a lower mandible fracture was granted.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence linking current psychiatric symptoms to service or any in-service stressor, nor are there medical opinions linking current headaches or arthritis of the neck to service-connected conditions or an in-service injury. The veteran's jaw fracture has healed and does not currently cause residual symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), Headache Disorder, Arthritis of the Neck, Compensable rating for residuals of a lower mandible fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 5, 2002
- Citation
- 0209115
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0209115.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but remanded the claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 30, 2022, for service connection and a 100 percent disability rating from August 30, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea).
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder injury, while remanding claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic bronchitis with COPD, and GERD.
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